New candidate spending breakdown data shows in the South Okanagan, big spenders sometimes got big disappointment

Photo: Contributed

Elections BC

Elections BC has released financial data from the recent local elections, which shows big spending does not always mean big results in the polls in the South Okanagan.

Candidates in British Columbia are legally required to publicly disclose all donations and all money spent on campaign related expenses like advertising following every local election. Expenditures are capped at varying amounts, depending on the municipality and the elected office being sought.

In Penticton, new Mayor Julius Bloomfield spent the most during the 2022 campaign season of any local candidate, forking out $17,882.61. That works out to $5.30 per each of his 3,374 votes.

Close runner up Jason Reynen spent just $6,113 and earned 3,155 votes, at $2 per vote.

Incumbent mayor John Vassilaki spent $16,055.08, working out to $7.82 per each of 2,052 votes. The other two mayoral candidates, Owen Hayward and Corey Hounslow, spent $0 and $1,901.93 in total respectively.

Of the six successful councillors, newcomer Amelia Boultbee spent the least and won the most, with 5,618 votes. She spent $5,123.25 total, or $0.91 per vote.

The highest spending councillors were Isaac Gilbert at $10,977.72 ($3.32 per vote) and Helena Konanz at $10,822.67 ($2.90 per vote).

Elections BC reported that throughout the province, two elector organizations and 87 candidate disclosure statements were not filed by the Jan. 13, 2023 deadline. The late filing deadline is Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 with a late fee of $500.

Penticton council candidate Lindsey R Hall is in that boat. He has yet to file his financial disclosure forms. Another unsuccessful South Okanagan council candidate, Amanda Hilario in Osoyoos, also has yet to file.

Penticton's breakdown can be found below:

Photo: Contributed

Data from Elections BC.

Elsewhere in the South Okanagan, Summerland's new mayor Doug Holmes spent $4,281.99 to capture his seat, or ($1.63 for each of 2,634, where as his challenger Chuck Pinnell spent $978 and earned 859 votes, or $1.63 per vote.

In Osoyoos, the contested incumbent Mayor Sue McKortoff spent $1,141.05 and earned 1,109 votes, or $1.03 per vote.

Her challenger Dustin Sikora spent a little under six times that much, $6,115.24, and earned 972 votes.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen had a very inexpensive election season at $0, as he ran unopposed and was elected by acclamation.

Full financial disclosure forms from all other Penticton candidates are publicly available online here.